Explain why or why not. I think there are many reasons a person will laugh at a joke that will put down other people. One such reason is immaturity. Having worked with teenagers I think that this is their favorite way to joke around. I think it makes them feel better about themselves.
For example both Sedaris and Swift use satire, however their satire defers in Swift use the satire towards others while Sedaris uses it to poke fun at himself. Sedaris uses the element of details to add to humor just as Swift uses details to add to his. There are differences in the humor as well such as Swifts appeal to utilitarianism opposed to Sedaris appeal to practicality. Swift and Sedaris are great writers who are similar as well as different in using humor, satire and irony in their delivery of their writing. Sedaris and Swift share multiple similarities in their writing such as the element of details to add humor.
Of course MAAN follows Shakespeare’s traditional comedy structure but modern critics have their own agenda that a comedy, being such a complex genre, should conform to. Since the time of the ancient Greeks critics have struggled to define it, Plato described it as a series of events you would ‘blush to practice yourself’. Susan Snyder who writes for the Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare Company, states that - ‘Comedy involves men of middling estate, its perils are small scale, its outcomes peaceful’. This is an excellent summary for the majority of Shakespeare’s plays; however it is not necessarily accurate in relation to MAAN. It is true to say that a comedy involves ‘men of a middling estate’, in MAAN the protagonists share the company of the Prince Don Pedro, and are socially superior to the watchmen such as Dogberry and Verges.
It is suggested by this then that the play holds no deeper meaning or message of morality; it is simply designed to fulfill a purpose through usage of traditional comedic techniques. However, some have interpretated themes of sexuality and a gentle mocking of Victorian customs ultimately leaving the play open to assumption. The Importance of being Earnest certainly maintains many traits of a great comedy of manners, "A comedy that satirizes behaviour in a particular social group"(dictionary.com). In fact many people have hailed it as "the greatest stage comedy of all time", this triumph supports the viewpoint that Wilde merely succeeded in entertaining his audience rather than channeling a deeper understanding. The use of slapstick by Wilde produces a contrived and absurd plotline that is in every way unrealistic.
show I love, but that not many people understand, falls into that category. South Park is more than just a television show. It is an outlet in which moral messages can be channeled through, in a humorous way that we can all understand and relate to. The key element of South Park is its satirical humor style. Many episodes are based off of real-world problems, and are solved through extensive use of satire.
Riana Watkins-Martin Mrs. Scobell AP English 11 7/11/14 Brave New World sections: A.) Satirical Writing— Satire: a writing technique that may be used throughout a piece of literature to mock someone or something thought to be corrupt in hopes of gradually improving humanity by exposing it. Satire is very effective because it uses humor to cleverly disguise criticism. This allows the author to get his or her point across in a delicate rather than an offensive way. At the same time, the readers are actually able to both enjoy and absorb the information the author is trying to communicate due to the comical approach.
Is Benedick the comic hero of the play? How far do you agree with this statement? Suggesting if Benedick is the comic hero of Much Ado About Nothing is difficult to pin point a precise hero as each character possess a different comical trait. For the reason that each character during the play being a character to laugh at or with for respite after tragic events, for instance Dogberry’s use of malapropism mocks authority and makes fun of those who are in it. Devices that are used by Benedick and Beatrice are Bawdy language, word play and puns, which are very different compared to Dogberry’s According to Aristotle the idea of comedy comes from speculation concerning men dancing, signing and cavorting around the image of a phallus.
Aristotle in ‘Poetics’ defined comedy as “an imitation of inferior people-not, however, with respect to every kind of defect; the laughable species of what is disgraceful. The laughable is an error of disgrace that does not involve pain or destruction. For example a comic mask is ugly and distorted but does not involve pain.” (Stott, Andrew McConnell. Comedy. New York: Routledge, 2005.
“Comedy, beginning in turmoil but ending in harmony, celebrates life.” To what extent does The History Boys reflect that view? 7. “The setting of this play is central to its success as a comedy.” To what extent do you agree? 8. “Despite being performed entirely in French, the audience is able to understand the scene due to Bennett’s use of comedy devices.” Explore this statement with reference to comedy devices.
If the protagonist was in fact sane, why would he feel it were his duty to constantly remind the reader of the fact that he is not “mad”? Further evidence of the narrator “enjoying every minute” of his insanity is notable from the way he claims the reader will “have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in!” and how he “smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done.” Enjoyment of insanity is also a gothic element integral to “The Pit and the Pendulum”, however rather than the enjoyment being expressed by the protagonist and victim, it is enjoyed by those enforcing the brutal